The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially refuted claims circulating online that Nigeria has been added to a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia. These false claims suggested that starting from April 13, 2025, countries like Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Pakistan would face visa restrictions and an entry ban. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by debunking these rumors, emphasizing that Saudi Arabian authorities have denied the validity of the claims.
In a statement released on Monday, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, clarified that the circulating memo is entirely false. He further stated that the Saudi Tourism Centre had confirmed that no such entry ban exists, and the only official travel guidelines currently in place pertain to the Hajj pilgrimage season.
The Ministry also specified that the only travel restriction in effect is for tourists who hold a visa during the Hajj period. Between April 29 and June 11, 2025, those with tourist visas will be prohibited from entering or staying in Makkah for the Hajj, with the Hajj visa being the only authorized entry permit for pilgrims during this time.
The Nigerian Ministry urged the public to disregard the misleading document and always verify travel information from trusted sources. They stressed that unverified information can create unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans. For accurate travel updates, both Nigerian and Saudi authorities advise travelers to consult official channels.